West Ham ‘monitoring’ highly-rated Southampton FC midfielder with £21m bid likely to seal landmark move
West Ham United are reportedly monitoring Southampton, who has impressed for the Saints this season as they aim to survive Premier League relegation.
The 18-year-old has made 14 league appearances this season, scoring one goal. He has become a mainstay in Russell Martin’s starting XI, establishing himself as an exciting midfield prospect.
The Hammers are among several Premier League teams that are reportedly keeping an eye on Dibling, despite the fact Southampton are reluctant to sell him.
According to Caught Offside, scouts from West Ham are monitoring Dibling, who Southampton could be persuaded to sell if a bid in excess of £21m price was made.
The midfielder came through the youth academy at St Mary’s Stadium, but he did have a brief spell in the Chelsea academy in 2022 before returning to the south coast.
Under fire West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is reportedly looking to add more talent in midfield as he aims to push his side further up the table, after a poor start to the season. The Hammers come off a crucial 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Wolves which may have saved Lopetegui his job at the London Stadium for now.
It isn’t just West Ham who hold a reported interest in the 18-year-old, as several Premier League teams have sent scouts to keep an eye on Dibling according to the report.
It suggests that up to five other sides are keen on signing the midfielder with Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa all said to also hold an interest.
Should all six teams decide to make a move for Dibling either in January or more likely in the summer, it could spark a bidding war which may drive the midfielder’s price higher.
Southampton don’t want to sell Dibling, but with the abundance of reported interest in him, they could cash-in on him in the summer transfer window if they get relegated back to the Championship to help fund a squad capable of promotion.
